Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák announced the preparation of a new support package for Ukraine, which will include engineering and demining assistance.
“I am very pleased to announce that together with Minister Shmyhal, we have just signed a memorandum on the 14th support package, which provides for Slovakia to deliver engineering and demining assistance to Ukraine,” Kaliňák said during his opening remarks at the Third International Defense Industries Forum (DFNC3) on Monday.
The minister also emphasized that he is in Kyiv to work with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, to identify potential projects to expand “our already quite comprehensive defense cooperation.”
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia has increased its artillery ammunition production capacity fifteenfold, Kaliňák noted.
“In addition, we have tripled the production of indirect fire systems. I am very happy and honored to see my esteemed colleagues from Denmark here, and we have just completed a joint project supplying 16 fully automated Zuzana howitzers, which will be delivered in a few weeks,” he added.
He also remarked that the information shared by President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Ukraine’s ability to produce 40 units of the “Bohdana” self-propelled artillery systems per month “is a galactic number.”
“The way Ukrainian industry is improving is truly impressive,” Kaliňák said.
Finally, he noted that during a recent meeting between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Zelensky, defense cooperation was identified as one of the main topics for the upcoming fourth joint intergovernmental session.
